mijobooks Chapter 72: Dock at Apo Island [Please Subscribe]
Chapter 72: Dock at Apo Island [Please Subscribe]
Chapter 72: Dock at Apo Island [Please Subscribe]
"Ah-Ba!"
"Are you getting ready to go out to sea?"
When Fang Hao and Fang Qiang arrived at the dock to pick up their boat and set sail.
I happened to run into an acquaintance from the village.
Fang Shengjun, an uncle of a clan.
"Um."
"Go out and set some traps."
Fang Hao nodded in response;
We are preparing to board the raft and head to the fishing boat.
Because the fishing boat was some distance from the shore, it was impossible to board it directly.
"It's a bit late to go out at this time."
"If we don't catch anything, it'll just be a waste of gas!"
Fang Shengjun shook his head and said.
If we set sail now, it will be close to noon by the time we reach the designated area, and by then the fishing will be much less active.
Fishing boats usually set sail in the early morning, departing from the fishing port around four or five o'clock.
The sea was relatively calm at that time.
You can also catch the early tide.
Under normal circumstances.
Fishing conditions are better at dawn and dusk.
Because many fish are more active and have a stronger predatory instinct during the early morning and late evening when the light changes, traditional fishermen would fish according to the time of day.
of course!
Fishing boats also operate at night.
For example, certain types of fish, such as squid and shrimp, prefer darkness and are afraid of light, making them more effective for catching at night.
It's not that you can only go out to sea to fish at a certain time. Small fishing boats can operate almost around the clock, mainly depending on the tides, sea conditions, and weather.
If it's windy or foggy.
They basically don't go out to sea.
"Let's go out and try our luck."
Fang Hao said casually.
Even if it's a bit late to set sail now.
He didn't really care.
I just want to take my own fishing boat out for a spin; whether I catch any seafood is up to God and luck.
After all, the sea holds endless possibilities! It's not that speaking out too late will necessarily result in nothing.
Upon seeing this.
Fang Shengjun didn't say anything more.
They also felt that Fang Hao was just going out to sea for fun and had no intention of catching fish or anything like that.
Then.
Fang Hao and Fang Qiang boarded the ship.
An old wooden fishing boat.
Although it can't compare to those large steel fishing boats, it's still considered pretty good for the village.
You should know that Uncle Fang Dabiao made a living with this boat. He not only built a bungalow, but also saved up a lot of money to buy a fishing boat.
sail.
Go to sea.
About half an hour later.
Fang Hao stood on the deck of the fishing boat.
I feel unwell and uncomfortable.
One problem was the dizzying swaying of the fishing boat, and the other was the unpleasant smell of diesel fuel mixed with the fishy odor.
I feel seasick and nauseous.
I'm still getting used to it.
After all, Fang Hao hadn't been to sea for several years, and he was practically a greenhorn.
Unlike those old fishermen who are used to going out to sea and spend all their time with fishing boats and the sea.
"Brother Hao."
Are you alright?
"Should we find a place to stop first, or turn back—"
Fang Qiang also noticed Fang Hao's unusual behavior.
-
His listless appearance clearly indicated he was seasick, so I inquired about his condition.
Seasickness is not a disease!
It can be deadly when you get dizzy!
That feeling was just too unbearable.
"Keep going!"
"Let's go to Grandma's Island first."
Fang Hao shook his head and said.
The island he mentioned, Apo Island, is quite famous locally, an island that will never be submerged by the sea.
There's a temple on the island!
The offering is for the old woman!
In fact, she is Mazu, the sea goddess with mythological and legendary characteristics, from the coastal areas of southern Guangxi!
According to local legend, she once came to the area and brought blessings to the local people.
And so many legends were born.
This island is where she used to live. It boasts magnificent natural scenery and a rich historical and cultural heritage.
She is like the mother of the local seas.
It protects everyone's health and well-being, ensuring a bountiful harvest.
Every year at the beginning of the year, fishermen or owners of fishing boats come here to pray for blessings.
"OK!"
Fang Qiang immediately nodded.
It's not far from Apo Island.
It's okay to stop for a bit!
It just so happens that he hasn't been there for a while.
This island is several kilometers from the shore, and fishing boats from the village usually pass by it when they go out to sea.
There is no need to go around it.
"Brother Hao."
"You must not have been out to sea in a long time."
"Plus, it's a bit windy at sea now—the fishing boats are rocking, which makes it easy to get seasick—"
Fang Qiang continued.
Fishing at sea is inherently hard work.
Not only is it boring and tedious, but it also carries various risks, among which seasickness is a relatively minor problem.
"fine!"
Fang Hao shook his head.
I barely managed to hold on.
Originally, they were planning to buy a fishing boat and make a big splash, but unexpectedly, they got seasick as soon as they set sail.
This really caught me off guard.
"I'll just make more trips in the future."
"I used to get seasick too—but I gradually got used to it, and now even the biggest waves are no problem for me."
Fang Qiang said as he steered the boat.
In fact, no one is born knowing how to sail the sea.
Even veteran fishermen start as novices and gradually become experts through experience.
"Ready."
As they were talking.
An island appeared in Fang Hao's field of vision.
It just floats there all alone on the sea.
From a distance, it looks like a giant tortoise.
"Brother Hao."
"You can burn some incense later."
"May Grandma bless our voyage with a smooth and safe journey, and may our shipping business be booming!"
Fang Qiang couldn't help but say.
I got seasick as soon as we set sail.
It's probably best to pray for protection.
The temple is dedicated to the local sea goddess.
Many people like to come here to pray for blessings.
It is also a kind of spiritual sustenance.
It has a beautiful meaning!
"Um"
"That's a good option."
Fang Hao agreed.
It would be very necessary to burn some incense later!
If you buy a new fishing boat, there will be a traditional ceremony to pray for a safe and smooth voyage.
soon.
The fishing boats then approached Apo Island.
There is a "dock" here specifically for docking ships, mainly to facilitate the arrival of ships from outside the area.
People still live on the island.
The island is roughly triangular in shape, covering an area of about 6000 square meters, with an altitude of 23.5 meters. The island is lush with trees and has countless oddly shaped rocks with traces of volcanic lava.
The island is surrounded by vast mangrove forests, with a small hill about a thousand meters high in the middle and a small beach at its foot. Every day, the extensive mangrove forests attract many villagers from the surrounding area to pick mangroves and dig for mud worms and sand crabs.
The island also has a unique phenomenon: when it is hit by strong typhoons and storm surges, and the sea level rises, the island will float up with the tide. Therefore, the island is known locally as the "floating island" or "the island that will never be submerged".
Besides.
There is a temple on Apo Island, which is the most prominent building on the island.
According to historical records, this temple called "Tianhou Palace" (also known as Sanpo Temple/Apo Temple) was built around 1696 AD. It later became a place for local fishermen to pray for divine protection and for their fishing boats to anchor and rest.
"You can disembark now—"
After the fishing boats were moored.
Fang Qiang shouted at Fang Hao.